Cloudwalker by renowned Northwest Coast artist Roy Henry Vickers recounts in text and images the creation of the rivers the source of three of British Columbia’s largest salmon-bearing rivers. These rivers, the Nass, Skeena, and the Stikine, are the source of life for all creatures in the area. Cloudwalker is the second in a series of Northwest Coast legends by Roy Henry Vickers and Robert Budd. This 40-page book explains the creation of these rivers. Astace, a young Gitxsan hunter, is intent on catching a group of swans with his bare hands. He is carried away by the birds’ powerful wings and dropped in the clouds. With only a cedar box of water Astace wanders the clouds, growing weaker, stumbling and spilling the contents. When he finally returns to earth he discovers lakes, creeks, and rivers where there were none before. The Gitxsan rejoice at having him home, and name the new river they live alongside Ksien—“juice from the clouds.” The text is clear and simply told with an accompanying colour image on each 2-page spread. This celebrated artist of Tsimshian, Haida, Heiltsuk and British heritage has created a book that will engage students and adults through the traditional geography of the Northwest Coast told in story format, along with the 17 vibrant colour prints. Highly recommended.
